Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Saturday, March 25, 2006
How far is it to Indonesia-a million miles?
Wow, we just heard that Joel, Bethany and little Jack will be leaving for Indonesia on April 19th. They have been notified that they have been approved for their visas! Our minds are spinning....
It must be 12,000 miles from here, right. "This little light of mine" comes to mind. Their little lights will shine brightly from a very distant place but they will be close enough to hear the heartbeat and feel the strong protective arm of their Savior.
Remember when Saul of Tarsus was blinded and knocked down by an intense flash of light while traveling to Damascus?
That same awesome Jesus is watching over Indonesia too. He is there already for Joel, Bethany, Jack and the thousands of other servants around the world separated from their families straining to reach the families and folks out there who are dying without even knowing about Jesus.
The sacrifices that missionaries make are real but will be seen as worth it when we look into those dear folk's eyes reflecting the light of Christ.
So kids we love you and will miss you as you follow Jesus, but we someday hope to trace your steps in Indonesia as well as meet those precious folks in heaven that you have helped by "Sharing the Well" of Jesus to the thirsty ones in Indo.
Thanks too, Jon for putting us on to Caedmon's Call.
Reflections of a Dad~
It must be 12,000 miles from here, right. "This little light of mine" comes to mind. Their little lights will shine brightly from a very distant place but they will be close enough to hear the heartbeat and feel the strong protective arm of their Savior.
Remember when Saul of Tarsus was blinded and knocked down by an intense flash of light while traveling to Damascus?
That same awesome Jesus is watching over Indonesia too. He is there already for Joel, Bethany, Jack and the thousands of other servants around the world separated from their families straining to reach the families and folks out there who are dying without even knowing about Jesus.
The sacrifices that missionaries make are real but will be seen as worth it when we look into those dear folk's eyes reflecting the light of Christ.
So kids we love you and will miss you as you follow Jesus, but we someday hope to trace your steps in Indonesia as well as meet those precious folks in heaven that you have helped by "Sharing the Well" of Jesus to the thirsty ones in Indo.
Thanks too, Jon for putting us on to Caedmon's Call.
Reflections of a Dad~
Friday, March 24, 2006
Ah, Berbice, where the sea breezes blow.
Well, friends we were there and back again--Berbice that is! Let me write this as if I were still there.
Ah, Berbice. We started the day with a brisk walk about 6 before it gets hot followed with coffee and a quiet time before drinking tea (breakfast).
At mid-day we heard of a tief (thief) that was caught red-handed and was lucky the police came to rescue him from the frustrated villagers (4 other thieves were not so lucky in Nigg and another village where the villagers chopped them to death with cutlasses (machetes) before the police could get there.
In the afternoon wandering cows ate the green growing things in the trenches. Like Popeye--eating the worms but spitting out the germs. Is that vintage boomer talk or what? Cooling breezes cranked up after 4pm bringing out the youth--boys only (that's up to 30 years old here) to play cricket in the "bruck-up" (dilapidated) street complete with potholes.
Donkey carts share the smaller streets with cars and trucks while Brother Ray wearing an umbrella hat peddled bread products from his bike.
You don't remember it all the time but the Muslim call to prayer does go off several times during the day over a loud speaker in the village. Speaking of loud speakers what about noice ordinances to reduce the reverberation of the loud music that is offered for the entire neighborhood to be entertained by. That is what we call "freeness".
In closing the day how about a birthday party including "the cutting of the cake" complete with encouraging words from the guests for the benefit of the birthday gal as in a Guyanese wedding and then supper at 8pm. I had to sneak out of the party at 10:30pm to retire because of church the next day.
Maybe it didn't all happen in one day but it was all such a blur!
All the best as we say here and thanks for letting me know that you are reading this.
Ah, Berbice. We started the day with a brisk walk about 6 before it gets hot followed with coffee and a quiet time before drinking tea (breakfast).
At mid-day we heard of a tief (thief) that was caught red-handed and was lucky the police came to rescue him from the frustrated villagers (4 other thieves were not so lucky in Nigg and another village where the villagers chopped them to death with cutlasses (machetes) before the police could get there.
In the afternoon wandering cows ate the green growing things in the trenches. Like Popeye--eating the worms but spitting out the germs. Is that vintage boomer talk or what? Cooling breezes cranked up after 4pm bringing out the youth--boys only (that's up to 30 years old here) to play cricket in the "bruck-up" (dilapidated) street complete with potholes.
Donkey carts share the smaller streets with cars and trucks while Brother Ray wearing an umbrella hat peddled bread products from his bike.
You don't remember it all the time but the Muslim call to prayer does go off several times during the day over a loud speaker in the village. Speaking of loud speakers what about noice ordinances to reduce the reverberation of the loud music that is offered for the entire neighborhood to be entertained by. That is what we call "freeness".
In closing the day how about a birthday party including "the cutting of the cake" complete with encouraging words from the guests for the benefit of the birthday gal as in a Guyanese wedding and then supper at 8pm. I had to sneak out of the party at 10:30pm to retire because of church the next day.
Maybe it didn't all happen in one day but it was all such a blur!
All the best as we say here and thanks for letting me know that you are reading this.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Home is where you clap your own roti
Saturday in Nigg Settlement~~
It has been a few good days. We are at Br. Shawn and Sister Annetta Geer's home where Br. Todd used to live. Today is Sis. Annetta's birthday so Br. Shawn made some delicious French Toast and their 2 children made great homemade cards.
The big answer~~We have rented a house! It is really just what we were wanting too. It is 2 streets behind Br. Shawn's house so it has a dirt road presently but paved roads are really coming in the near future. Upstairs it has 2 small bedrooms, a kitchen and dining area, a living room, bath as well as breezy varandas in front and back. Downstairs consists of a storage room and a large concrete covered patio (bottom house.)
We are going to be able to costomize it to fit our needs so it is great. The yard in the back is not too big--about 50' x 50'. It only has a couple small trees in the yard now, so it is very open with a chain link on 3 sides and board fence on the right side.
We also have received word that our shipment is in so that will be the next project for us. We will go back to Georgetown on Wednesday to start that process.
Gaff more later. Br. Joe
It has been a few good days. We are at Br. Shawn and Sister Annetta Geer's home where Br. Todd used to live. Today is Sis. Annetta's birthday so Br. Shawn made some delicious French Toast and their 2 children made great homemade cards.
The big answer~~We have rented a house! It is really just what we were wanting too. It is 2 streets behind Br. Shawn's house so it has a dirt road presently but paved roads are really coming in the near future. Upstairs it has 2 small bedrooms, a kitchen and dining area, a living room, bath as well as breezy varandas in front and back. Downstairs consists of a storage room and a large concrete covered patio (bottom house.)
We are going to be able to costomize it to fit our needs so it is great. The yard in the back is not too big--about 50' x 50'. It only has a couple small trees in the yard now, so it is very open with a chain link on 3 sides and board fence on the right side.
We also have received word that our shipment is in so that will be the next project for us. We will go back to Georgetown on Wednesday to start that process.
Gaff more later. Br. Joe
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Heading to the Corentyne tomorrow.
Tuesday, we had a somewhat laid back day. Actually had to move out of our house to make room for a larger missionary family. Then we cleaned up the house a bit for the new family to help out.This all took longer than I had anticipated so no cycle shopping today.
We took a 20 minute walk after lunch to an internet cafe so we could get cheaper rates (7 1/2 cents per minute)to call our son in Indiana. Otherwise the cost is 50 cents per minute. It was great to hear his voice and catch up on his life.
Tomorrow is a Hindu holiday called Phagwah in Guyana. The Hindus throw violet colored dye on anyone or any car that is not opposed to it. They also throw mud or water on each other just for the fun of it. So we will try to keep a low profile tomorrow as we travel to the Corentyne. We travel for a couple of hours with a Presbyterian missionary couple from Canada on the one major road going east (and west) that covers civilization in Guyana. We have to wait at the docks for a ferry going across the Berbice River, then travel about 40 minutes longer to get to the settlement (town) called
Nigg. So Thursday we start house hunting.
Nothing comes easy so pray alot.
Well JBj, praise God for your safety from the 100 sightings of funnel clouds in the Missouri area. Life can sure be exciting.
We took a 20 minute walk after lunch to an internet cafe so we could get cheaper rates (7 1/2 cents per minute)to call our son in Indiana. Otherwise the cost is 50 cents per minute. It was great to hear his voice and catch up on his life.
Tomorrow is a Hindu holiday called Phagwah in Guyana. The Hindus throw violet colored dye on anyone or any car that is not opposed to it. They also throw mud or water on each other just for the fun of it. So we will try to keep a low profile tomorrow as we travel to the Corentyne. We travel for a couple of hours with a Presbyterian missionary couple from Canada on the one major road going east (and west) that covers civilization in Guyana. We have to wait at the docks for a ferry going across the Berbice River, then travel about 40 minutes longer to get to the settlement (town) called
Nigg. So Thursday we start house hunting.
Nothing comes easy so pray alot.
Well JBj, praise God for your safety from the 100 sightings of funnel clouds in the Missouri area. Life can sure be exciting.
Abee wanna knock a proper gaff?
We call this Blog Site the "Guyana Gaff" because to have a proper gaff in Guyana is to have a friendly chat. So "abee wanna ta knock a proper gaff?
Monday--
Oh me momma! Today we thought we were going to look at some possible housing options but that will not materialize until Thursday so just after breakfast, Ken, the male part of the Guest House Managers team hurries off after breakfast only to come back after 10 minutes to casually ask me if I might know much about septic tanks. I thought to myself, "What is there to know about septic tanks in Guyana?" I won't go into more details here but you can ask for a scientific explanation or recipe if you so desire!
So guess what 2 missionaries and 1 national did this morning--clean out an overflowing septic tank by using a bucket attached to a rope to empty a full rectangular concrete tank that was 5' x 10' x 8' deep. Afterwards I showered with anti-bacterial soap twice--just to make sure! I am truly glad that I could be here to help them. T'was a nasty job but the female counterpart of the Guest House Team will reward us tonight with hamburgers and ice cream as a special treat.
On the mission field or at your house one never know what adventure lurks around the next bend.
How was your Sunday? We traveled about 45 minutes in order to attend a 2 hour service. Getting there included crossing a 1/2 mile floating bridge over the Demerara River. Years ago a part of the bridge litterally floated away but they got tht fixed. :) We both had the opportunity to share testimonies and Terri shared a song of praise as well. Terri
had a chance to share with a m lady about forgiveness.
Tomorrow I shall begin motorcycle shopping. Vrroom, Vroom? No, really more like putt, putt but it should be interesting.
Speaking of interesting--I have 101 mosquito bites on my legs now! Little terrorists. Really though I am trying to rough it without mosquito repellant to build up my immunity to them. It does work here--that's how the nationals can handle it.
Abee gon nah. (I'll be going now.)
Monday--
Oh me momma! Today we thought we were going to look at some possible housing options but that will not materialize until Thursday so just after breakfast, Ken, the male part of the Guest House Managers team hurries off after breakfast only to come back after 10 minutes to casually ask me if I might know much about septic tanks. I thought to myself, "What is there to know about septic tanks in Guyana?" I won't go into more details here but you can ask for a scientific explanation or recipe if you so desire!
So guess what 2 missionaries and 1 national did this morning--clean out an overflowing septic tank by using a bucket attached to a rope to empty a full rectangular concrete tank that was 5' x 10' x 8' deep. Afterwards I showered with anti-bacterial soap twice--just to make sure! I am truly glad that I could be here to help them. T'was a nasty job but the female counterpart of the Guest House Team will reward us tonight with hamburgers and ice cream as a special treat.
On the mission field or at your house one never know what adventure lurks around the next bend.
How was your Sunday? We traveled about 45 minutes in order to attend a 2 hour service. Getting there included crossing a 1/2 mile floating bridge over the Demerara River. Years ago a part of the bridge litterally floated away but they got tht fixed. :) We both had the opportunity to share testimonies and Terri shared a song of praise as well. Terri
had a chance to share with a m lady about forgiveness.
Tomorrow I shall begin motorcycle shopping. Vrroom, Vroom? No, really more like putt, putt but it should be interesting.
Speaking of interesting--I have 101 mosquito bites on my legs now! Little terrorists. Really though I am trying to rough it without mosquito repellant to build up my immunity to them. It does work here--that's how the nationals can handle it.
Abee gon nah. (I'll be going now.)
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Does your roof talk to you?
Does your roof talk to you like ours does? As the day warms up so does the zinc roof therefore it expands some and treats us to some stretching of sorts.
Now this afternoon we had some rain that can be deafening because of the same zinc roof. This will cool the zinc and it will speak to us again. The cooler breeze refreshes... Now to find a hammock!
Our thanks goes out to you--our dear friends around the world, those scattered around the planet and those "in the homeland" for your interest and partnership in the gospel.
Now this afternoon we had some rain that can be deafening because of the same zinc roof. This will cool the zinc and it will speak to us again. The cooler breeze refreshes... Now to find a hammock!
Our thanks goes out to you--our dear friends around the world, those scattered around the planet and those "in the homeland" for your interest and partnership in the gospel.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Guyana Gaff
Well, today is one of those days that I am being patient by trying to understand more fully the blogging scene.
Now I am going to read up on it. But first let me say
Today--Friday--Mom and I got our drivers licenses renewed partially. We have to go to Berbice to finish the job totally--I hope.
Went to the Oasis, a great little coffee shop with good service, pretty normal coffee like Folgers but with regular milk, a smile, good sweet or other snacks like homemade bagels and donuts, sandwiches, custard, flan, and tea (I think). They also have the WI/FI with 120v current too but we should not use it because of the uncertainty of voltage. It is located on the street that goes to town from The Le Meridan Pegasus about where the old New Thriving was. During this time K & K did errands.
Lunch was Cook-Up. Yum, I know. fresh garden salad, with ripe tomatoes :), pineapple and fudge squares for dessert. We came home to the good old back house and I have solved my blog problems I think. I still need to read more though so it doesn't take me so long.
We will be here until Monday and Phagwah is Wednesday, so Bek and Jon, stay out of sight.
Well, two important things I have to do still today--time with God and exercise.
Love to all.
Now I am going to read up on it. But first let me say
Today--Friday--Mom and I got our drivers licenses renewed partially. We have to go to Berbice to finish the job totally--I hope.
Went to the Oasis, a great little coffee shop with good service, pretty normal coffee like Folgers but with regular milk, a smile, good sweet or other snacks like homemade bagels and donuts, sandwiches, custard, flan, and tea (I think). They also have the WI/FI with 120v current too but we should not use it because of the uncertainty of voltage. It is located on the street that goes to town from The Le Meridan Pegasus about where the old New Thriving was. During this time K & K did errands.
Lunch was Cook-Up. Yum, I know. fresh garden salad, with ripe tomatoes :), pineapple and fudge squares for dessert. We came home to the good old back house and I have solved my blog problems I think. I still need to read more though so it doesn't take me so long.
We will be here until Monday and Phagwah is Wednesday, so Bek and Jon, stay out of sight.
Well, two important things I have to do still today--time with God and exercise.
Love to all.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Wow is an expression of worship. God treated us with such coolness in our trip to Guyana. As they say in Jamaica “No problem mon.” Our luggage went through fine, “mum they were when our 30# personal items and carry-ons came, back-packs were not allowed as a personal item except in our case. (Really they just didn’t enforce it.) The Customs officials at Cheddi Jagan International Airport only said without looking at us “pass through” after looking to see our paper was in order and only 2 young boys followed me to the car to beg for small change! The biggest problem was when I tried getting into Ken’s car on the right side where the steering wheel was located—the boy say “You gonna drive nah, with a big smile on his face.” So much for cool on my part!
The trip from the airport was uneventful.J Because of the 2007 World Cup Cricket Competition private investors are building hundreds of new homes and a few new hotels as well. Hoping that they will be able to keep the tourists coming back by offering casino gambling in Guyana now! It might just work! Only Christ can give peace and happiness without a hangover, though.
Today we saw Br. Shawn, Sis. Anetta, Br. John Persaud, and Sis. Zed from Berbice as well as the cook and house cleaner for the Glovers—Sis. Yvonne. So we go to Berbice on Monday or Tuesday.
Lunch was yummy—cole slaw with a little sugar and very little mayo, stew beef, fat roti (saddha) and pine for dessert. Supper now calls.
All the best,
Wow is an expression of worship. God treated us with such coolness in our trip to Guyana. As they say in Jamaica “No problem mon.” Our luggage went through fine, “mum they were when our 30# personal items and carry-ons came, back-packs were not allowed as a personal item except in our case. (Really they just didn’t enforce it.) The Customs officials at Cheddi Jagan International Airport only said without looking at us “pass through” after looking to see our paper was in order and only 2 young boys followed me to the car to beg for small change! The biggest problem was when I tried getting into Ken’s car on the right side where the steering wheel was located—the boy say “You gonna drive nah, with a big smile on his face.” So much for cool on my part!
The trip from the airport was uneventful.J Because of the 2007 World Cup Cricket Competition private investors are building hundreds of new homes and a few new hotels as well. Hoping that they will be able to keep the tourists coming back by offering casino gambling in Guyana now! It might just work! Only Christ can give peace and happiness without a hangover, though.
Today we saw Br. Shawn, Sis. Anetta, Br. John Persaud, and Sis. Zed from Berbice as well as the cook and house cleaner for the Glovers—Sis. Yvonne. So we go to Berbice on Monday or Tuesday.
Lunch was yummy—cole slaw with a little sugar and very little mayo, stew beef, fat roti (saddha) and pine for dessert. Supper now calls.
All the best,
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Wow is an expression of worship. God treated us with such coolness in our trip to Guyana. As they say in Jamaica “No problem mon.” Our luggage went through fine, “mum they were when our 30# personal items and carry-ons came, back-packs were not allowed as a personal item except in our case. (Really they just didn’t enforce it.) The Customs officials at Cheddi Jagan International Airport only said without looking at us “pass through” after looking to see our paper was in order and only 2 young boys followed me to the car to beg for small change! The biggest problem was when I tried getting into Ken’s car on the right side where the steering wheel was located—the boy say “You gonna drive nah, with a big smile on his face.” So much for cool on my part!
The trip from the airport was uneventful.J Because of the 2007 World Cup Cricket Competition private investors are building hundreds of new homes and a few new hotels as well. Hoping that they will be able to keep the tourists coming back by offering casino gambling in Guyana now! It might just work! Only Christ can give peace and happiness without a hangover, though.
Today we saw Br. Shawn, Sis. Anetta, Br. John Persaud, and Sis. Zed from Berbice as well as the cook and house cleaner for the Glovers—Sis. Yvonne. So we go to Berbice on Monday or Tuesday.
Lunch was yummy—cole slaw with a little sugar and very little mayo, stew beef, fat roti (saddha) and pine for dessert. Supper now calls.
All the best,
Wow is an expression of worship. God treated us with such coolness in our trip to Guyana. As they say in Jamaica “No problem mon.” Our luggage went through fine, “mum they were when our 30# personal items and carry-ons came, back-packs were not allowed as a personal item except in our case. (Really they just didn’t enforce it.) The Customs officials at Cheddi Jagan International Airport only said without looking at us “pass through” after looking to see our paper was in order and only 2 young boys followed me to the car to beg for small change! The biggest problem was when I tried getting into Ken’s car on the right side where the steering wheel was located—the boy say “You gonna drive nah, with a big smile on his face.” So much for cool on my part!
The trip from the airport was uneventful.J Because of the 2007 World Cup Cricket Competition private investors are building hundreds of new homes and a few new hotels as well. Hoping that they will be able to keep the tourists coming back by offering casino gambling in Guyana now! It might just work! Only Christ can give peace and happiness without a hangover, though.
Today we saw Br. Shawn, Sis. Anetta, Br. John Persaud, and Sis. Zed from Berbice as well as the cook and house cleaner for the Glovers—Sis. Yvonne. So we go to Berbice on Monday or Tuesday.
Lunch was yummy—cole slaw with a little sugar and very little mayo, stew beef, fat roti (saddha) and pine for dessert. Supper now calls.
All the best,
Thursday, March 02, 2006
"abe gon nah" or we are leaving now Soon anyway!
Well now that we found our site again we should post something.
Speaking of post, not the cereal, but the verb form. Remember when posting something meant writing a letter, correcting spelling errors and mistakes, folding it, stuffing it into an envelope of the appropriate size, finding and recording the address, writing down the return address, locating the stamp and then putting it into a mailbox somewhere hoping for a reply in a couple of weeks. Wow, no wonder people don't do that much anymore.
Today is the day the Lord has made so to end it we went to CFA, got a meal to go, and headed for the sunset. A beautiful time of colors: azure blue-green, sand, sunset orange, clamshell, skyblue at 7500 degrees Kelvin and the sunset enhanced flesh tones on Terriwati's face.
A perfect ending to a soon to be missed location. Abe gon nah.
Speaking of post, not the cereal, but the verb form. Remember when posting something meant writing a letter, correcting spelling errors and mistakes, folding it, stuffing it into an envelope of the appropriate size, finding and recording the address, writing down the return address, locating the stamp and then putting it into a mailbox somewhere hoping for a reply in a couple of weeks. Wow, no wonder people don't do that much anymore.
Today is the day the Lord has made so to end it we went to CFA, got a meal to go, and headed for the sunset. A beautiful time of colors: azure blue-green, sand, sunset orange, clamshell, skyblue at 7500 degrees Kelvin and the sunset enhanced flesh tones on Terriwati's face.
A perfect ending to a soon to be missed location. Abe gon nah.
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